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Species Diversity
Abstract
A new genus and species of talitrid amphipod, Lowryella wadai, is described from estuarine reed marshes facing the Bungo Channel, western Japan. This genus belongs to the 4-dentate, cuspidactylate group of talitrids and is characterized by having: (1) a short and slender antenna 2, (2) a mediodistally lobate article 2 and reduced article 4 of the maxillipedal palp, (3) a deeply subchelate gnathopod 1 in both sexes, (4) a bulge on the basis and ischium of female gnathopod 1, (5) a marginally bare outer ramus of uropod 1, and (6) a telson lobe armed only with apical robust setae. Several genera including palustral talitrids display features in common with this new genus, but the character combination shown above distinctly separates Lowryella from them. Lowryella is the first stenotopic representative of the Talitridae from estuarine marshes in Japan.
We would like to express our hearty thanks to Professor Emeritus K. Wada of Nara Women's University for giving us the chance to study these valuable talitrid amphipods. Our deep gratitude is also due to Dr J. K. Lowry for his continuous encouragement and careful reading of the manuscript, and also to Dr J. Aoki for suggesting the name of the new talitrid. Dr M. J. Grygier of Lake Biwa Museum kindly provided many helpful suggestions to an earlier draft to improve the English, to whom we wish to acknowledge our debt. Dr H. Komatsu of the National Museum of Nature and Science and Dr K. Kakui of Hokkaido University helped us in many ways in preparing this article and we greatly appreciate their support.
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